How to Identify Fencing Weapons

Fencing involves three different types of swords: foil, epee and sabre. All three have blunt tips. However, the blade, grip and hand guard are different on each sword. Dueling with sword requires different target areas and scoring techniques. Here's how to identify the weapons.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Look at the guard. The sabre is distinguished by a guard which attaches to the end of the grip. It resembles a cavalry sword. The foil guard is rather flat. The epee guard is curved and covers more of the grip.

2. Examine the blade. The foil has a flexible, rectangular blade. The sabre is slightly shorter than the foil and epee.

3. Feel the weight of the swords. The foil and epee roughly weigh the same. A foil is lighter.

4. Watch where the opponents are hitting each other with the weapons. Epee is the only sword that awards points for hitting anywhere on the body. Points are only awarded to the torso area with the foil. The sabre earns points for anything above the waist, except your opponent's hands and the back of his head.

5. Observe the type of movements the opponents are making. The foil and epee are solely thrusting weapons. The target area must be hit in a manner that would make a puncture wound if the tip were sharp. The sabre is both a thrusting and cutting weapon. Points are score by hitting with any part of the blade.

Tips & Warnings

• Electric weapons are used in competitive fencing that electronically score valid hits.

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